Leak prevention fill valve control system for toilet tank

ABSTRACT

A mechanical set of flow counters measure water flow into a toilet tank. A valve controlled by the flow counters turns off the water flow when sufficient water to fill the tank has flowed into the tank. The flow counters are built into the shaft of the fill valve. The flow counters stop a leak by closing a fill valve in the system of the invention or the fill valve built into the toilet tank.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to leak detectors for toilet tanks, and particularly a leak detector and regulator device for toilet tanks comprising a water flow detector and regulator to control a fill valve that may be used to determine if a toilet is leaking between flushes, the flow detector which measures water flow built into the shaft of the fill valve, the flow regulator equipped to stop a leak by lifting the floater or by closing off the fill valve or another valve that will prevent toilet water leakage.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Due to the automatic refill function of a toilet, wherein after flushing the starting of water flow to replenish the flushed water lost from the fill tank is normally controlled by a float detecting the drop in water level to activate the fill water and the same float detecting a desired preset full tank level in the fill tank shuts off the flow of water into the fill tank, when a leak occurs the continual depletion of water is continually replaced resulting in the waste of sometimes many gallons of water an hour depending on the extent of the malfunction. Toilets are often prone to leaking for a variety of reasons often including malfunction of the fill and stop float mechanism. Prior art devices have not adequately solved this problem.

In previous inventions, the fill valve devices have been one dimensional and the gears due to water harshness fail. There is no backup system, so if the gears fail the water keeps on running, therefore defeating the purpose.

Toilet leak detectors have been the subjects of earlier patent and Internet documents. The prior art devices are often overly complex and expensive employing electronic or motorized devices and are primarily intended to function alone without other systems and not intended to be used with existing systems.

Of particular interest is the U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,170 B1, issued to Quintana et al., which discloses a toilet control system. The control system includes a flow sensor mounted in the tank of the toilet that monitors the amount of water that is added to the tank. If the flow sensor detects a leak, or an abnormal amount of water flowing into the tank the control system is able to shut off the flow of water to the tank.

Furthermore, the U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,731, issued to Pappy, shows a toilet tank fill valve. The tank fill valve includes a mechanism that automatically shuts the fill valve off when a predetermined amount of water has flowed into the tank. The automatic valve shut off mechanism prevents water loss from leaks.

In addition, the patent application publication US 2004/0199989 A1, to Trolio, describes a toilet leak detection and warning system. The toilet leak detection system includes a fluid flow sensor that may be placed in the flush tank of a toilet. The flow sensor may be connected to a solenoid that is able to shut off the water feed to the toilet if the sensor detects a leak.

Further related prior art includes US Patent application No. US2005/0248465A1 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,365,710; 3,902,201; 4,916,762; 5,125,120; 5,731,758; 5,769,111; 6,088,846; 6,802,084; and 6,934,977.

Internet Documents

“FlowManager,” SmartHome.com http://www.smarthome.com/7121.html. 3 pages, printed from the Internet Mar. 27, 2006.

“Leak Detection and Shut-Off System,” OurWorld.Compuserve.com http;//ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rciautomation/p311.htm, 4 pages, printed from the Internet Mar. 27, 2006.

What is needed is a completely mechanical water flow regulator valve and flow meter to measure the volume and flow through the fill valve of a toilet tank and shut off the flow of water into the tank after a sufficient amount of water has flowed into the tank that would normally fill the tank to a desired level, the water flow regulator operating independently of the float so that extra water will be stopped from flowing into the tank regardless of the other tank mechanisms so that the water flow regulator will stock the flow eve if there is a stuck or failed float mechanism which would normally shut off the flow of water into the tank after a desired level of water was reached in the tank to provide a complete fail-safe backup to the normal float or other shut-off mechanisms, and, because it is mechanical, independent of any electrical controls.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a completely mechanical water flow regulator valve and flow meter to measure the volume and flow through the fill valve of a toilet tank and shut off the flow of water into the tank after a sufficient amount of water has flowed into the tank that would normally fill the tank to a desired level, the water flow regulator operating independently of the float so that extra water will be stopped from flowing into the tank regardless of the other tank mechanisms so that the water flow regulator will stop the flow even if there is a stuck or failed float mechanism which would normally shut off the flow of water into the tank after a desired level of water was reached in the tank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a complete fail-safe backup to the normal float or other shut-off mechanisms.

An added object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical mechanism, independent of any electrical controls.

One more object of the present invention is to provide a water flow detector and regulator to control a fill valve that may be used to determine if a toilet is leaking between flushes.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a flow detector which measures water flow built into the shaft of the fill valve.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a flow regulator equipped to stop a leak by lifting the floater or by closing off the fill valve or another valve that will prevent toilet water leakage.

In brief, a mechanical set of flow counters measure water flow into a toilet tank. A valve controlled by the flow counters turns off the water flow when sufficient water to fill the tank has flowed into the tank. The flow counters are built into the shaft of the fill valve. The flow counters stop a leak by closing a fill valve in the system of the invention or the fill valve built into the toilet tank. The device also includes an anti-siphon feature and the head is detachable and replaceable.

In the present invention, the water valve can be shut off by two methods, the volume method (using the floater) or the measurement method (using the geared mechanism). This creates a back-up for both. If the floater fails, the geared mechanisms kicks in. If the geared mechanism fails, the floater kicks in.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a mechanical way of preventing water loss by constant running of the water in the toilet.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a means to measure the water flowing into the tank, allowing only that quantity of water to flow and shutting off the water after the appropriate amount has flowed.

An added advantage of the present invention is that it provides a leakage shut off system that works with an existing toilet tank system.

One more advantage of the present invention is that it provides a fail safe backup to other systems as it operates mechanically, not electronically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational diagrammatic view of the flow valve system of the present invention incorporated into an existing tank so that the system control valve is separate from the existing control valve in the toilet tank;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of the workings of the flow valve system of FIG. 1 in the closed and ready position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of the workings of the flow valve system of FIG. 1 in the open and flushing position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of the workings of the flow valve system of FIG. 1 in the closed and filling position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of the workings of a flow valve system of the present invention using a single control valve operated by the system of the present invention in the closed and ready position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of the workings of a flow valve system of FIG. 5 in the open and flushing position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of the workings of a flow valve system of FIG. 5 in the closed and filling position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1-7, a mechanical water flow measuring and regulating system 20 prevents loss of water due to toilet malfunctions.

The system comprises a mechanical water flow measuring and regulating device 25 communicating with a water fill pipe 40 for a toilet and a water fill valve 21 of FIGS. 2-4, and 21A of FIGS. 1, 5-7 to start and stop the flow of water through the water fill pipe 40 into a fill tank of the toilet. The mechanical water flow measuring and regulating device 25 contains a valve control gear assembly 30 which is made up of a turbine or water wheel 31 in contact with the moving water in the water fill pipe 40 and at least one control gear 32, that is mechanically turned by the water wheel 31 and then turns a larger control wheel 33. A regulator arm 29 is mechanically linked between the control wheel 33 and the water fill valve 21 to control the water fill valve. The turbine or water wheel 31, control wheel 33, and at least one control gear 32 are structured to measure the quantity of water flowing through the water fill pipe 40 so that after a measured amount of water sufficient to fill the toilet tank is detected as having flowed through the water fill pipe 40, the combination water flow measuring and regulating device 25 causes the water fill valve 21 to stop the flow of water into the fill tank to prevent a loss of water due to a toilet malfunction.

Flushing the toilet moves the chain 28 that attaches to the reset handle 27. The reset handle 27 engages the gear control wheel 26 to move the control arms 36A & B which forces the valve control gear assembly 30 away from the fill pipe 40 when the toilet is flushing. Only and immediately after flushing does the valve control gear assembly 30 move back into place, aligning the water wheel 31 with the water fill pipe 40 to get an accurate measure of water filling up the fill tank.

The mechanical water flow measuring and regulating device 25 can be used in a toilet tank having a primary combination water flow control valve and water level detector device 20A of FIGS. 5-7 serving as the primary water flow control valve 21A to start the flow of water upon flushing the toilet and stop the flow of water when the water level in the tank is detected to be at a desired height, the mechanical water flow measuring and regulating device 25 operating independently of the primary combination water flow control valve 21A of FIGS. 1, 5-7 and water level detector device, or floater, 44 to stop the flow of water when the primary combination water flow control valve and water level detector device fails to stop the flow of water.

The water level detector device 44 works in conjunction with the water control valve 21A so that both the water level detector device and the water flow detector each independently activate and deactivate the water control valve to start and stop the flow of water in the water fill pipe.

In use, the dual valve device of the present invention will work as follows:

-   1. The water will flow through the fill shaft 40. -   2. As the water begins flowing, the fill valve regulator (valve 2)     25 begins measuring the water that is flowing through the fill valve     as the floater 44 is in the down position. -   3. As the toilet tank fills, the floater rises to the top and stops     in the up position by the normal fill valve (valve 1) 21A. -   4. If the water continues to flow after the floater 44 is in the up     position, the regulator (valve 2) 25 will stop the flow, after     measuring a predetermined amount, through an internal valve 21     within the regulator. -   5. When the floater does not rise, the fill valve regulator (valve     2) 25, after measuring a predetermined amount, will stop the flow     though an internal valve 21 within the regulator. -   6. When the toilet is flushed the regulator 25 will reset with the     flushing of the toilet using the gear control wheel 26 and valve     control gear assembly 30. -   7. A regulator adjuster 22 can raise the amount of water that is     allowed into the tank or lowered as needed. -   8. The water can be stopped by the first fill valve or the second     fill valve as desired. -   9. Utilizing two valves lowers the probabilities of wasting water.

Basically, the fill valve regulator 25 will operate like a water meter and it would close the same valve that the floater closes when it reaches a certain measured fluid quantity. Also, this design will allow for more efficient manufacturing.

It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. 

1. A mechanical water flow measuring and regulating system for preventing loss of water due to toilet malfunctions, the system comprising: a mechanical water flow measuring and regulating device communicating with a water fill pipe for a toilet and a water fill valve to start and stop the flow of water through the water fill pipe into a fill tank of the toilet, the mechanical water flow measuring and regulating device comprising a water wheel in contact with the moving water in the water fill pipe and at least one control gear mechanically turned by the water wheel, a regulator arm mechanically linked between the at least one control gear and the water fill valve to control the water fill valve, the water wheel and the at least one control gear structured to measure the quantity of water flowing through the water fill pipe so that after a measured amount of water sufficient to fill the toilet tank is detected as having flowed through the water fill pipe, the combination water flow measuring and regulating device causes the water fill valve to stop the flow of water into the fill tank to prevent a loss of water due to a toilet malfunction.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the mechanical water flow measuring and regulating device is used in a toilet tank having a primary combination water flow control valve and water level detector device serving as the primary water flow control valve to start the flow of water upon flushing the toilet and stop the flow of water when the water level in the tank is detected to be at a desired height, the mechanical water flow measuring and regulating device operating independently of the primary combination water flow control valve and water level detector device to stop the flow of water when the primary combination water flow control valve and water level detector device fails to stop the flow of water.
 3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a water level detector device working in conjunction with the water control valve so that both the water level detector device and the water flow detector each independently activate and deactivate the water control valve to start and stop the flow of water in the water fill pipe. 